AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Hervé Renard parades strong squad for Ghana and Somalia games

Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard has announced a strong squad for their opening two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana and Somalia as new head coach Hervé Renard begins his competitive campaign in charge of the Elephants.

The squad includes several high-profile players from Europe’s major leagues, with Real Madrid youngster Yan Diomandé, Manchester United defender Leny Yoro, Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie, Brighton’s Malick Yalcouyé and Newcastle United forward Bazoumana Touré among those selected.

Ivory Coast will open their Group C campaign against Ghana on Thursday, 24 September at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT. They will then face Somalia on 29 September.

CAF has confirmed both fixtures as part of the opening two matchdays of the qualifying campaign.

The selection represents Renard’s first major test since returning to the Ivory Coast dugout and comes with the Elephants looking to make a strong start to their qualification bid.

Experienced core retained

The squad contains a blend of established internationals and emerging talent.

Former Barcelona and Al-Ahli midfielder Franck Kessie provides experience in midfield, while Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare also features in the selection.

The midfield group is completed by Malick Yalcouyé, Yann Gboho, Amadou Kone, Christ Inao, Michel Adopo and Parfait Guiagon.

Kessie and Sangare could be particularly important against Ghana, where Ivory Coast are expected to face a physical battle in the middle of the pitch.

At the back, Roma’s Evan Ndicka is included alongside Nottingham Forest’s Ousmane Diomande, Bayer Leverkusen defender Guela Doue and Manchester United’s Leny Yoro.

Yoro’s inclusion is one of the notable features of the squad, with the young defender continuing to establish himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Christopher Operi of Istanbul Basaksehir, Ismael Doukoure of Strasbourg, Abdoul Ouattara of Ipswich Town, Oumar Solet of Udinese and Toulouse’s Christ Tape complete the defensive options, alongside Auxerre’s Clement Akpa.

Plenty of attacking options

Renard has also selected a deep group of forwards as Ivory Coast prepare for two demanding matches in Group C.

Yan Diomandé, who plays for Real Madrid, is among the headline names, while Newcastle United’s Bazoumana Touré and Inter Milan forward Ange-Yoan Bonny also feature.

OGC Nice forward Elye Wahi, RB Leipzig’s Karim Konate, Sturm Graz’s Oumar Diakite, Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe and Crystal Palace forward Evan Guessand complete the attacking contingent.

The presence of Pepe adds significant experience to the attack, while the inclusion of younger forwards underlines Ivory Coast’s attempt to combine established international quality with emerging talent.

Three goalkeepers selected

Renard has named Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Kone and Alban Lafont as his three goalkeeping options.

Fofana, who plays for Turkish side Rizespor, is joined by Charleroi goalkeeper Kone and Panathinaikos’ Lafont.

The Elephants will need to negotiate a difficult opening fixture against Ghana before turning their attention to Somalia.

CAF’s schedule has Ivory Coast hosting Ghana in Bouaké on 24 September, while Somalia are listed as the home side against Ivory Coast on 29 September. Because of Somalia’s lack of a CAF-approved home venue, that match is set to be played in Ivory Coast.

The opening two rounds are particularly important in a four-team Group C that also includes The Gambia. Ghana and Ivory Coast meet in the headline fixture of the first matchday, while The Gambia face Somalia.

The teams are competing for qualification to the 2027 AFCON finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with the top two sides from groups without a co-host securing places at the tournament.

For Ghana, the meeting with Ivory Coast will be one of the first competitive assignments for Carlos Queiroz, who has returned to lead the Black Stars after the country’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.

The two West African heavyweights will therefore enter the contest with plenty at stake, as both seek an early advantage in the race to reach the 2027 tournament.

Ivory Coast squad

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi SC), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)

Defenders: Clement Akpa (AJ Auxerre), Christ Tape (Toulouse), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Basaksehir), Guela Doue (Bayer Leverkusen), Ousmane Diomande (Nottingham Forest), Ismael Doukoure (RC Strasbourg), Abdoul Ouattara (Ipswich Town), Oumar Solet (Udinese), Leny Yoro (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Franck Kessie (Atalanta), Malick Yalcouyé (Brighton), Yann Gboho (Coventry City), Amadou Kone (Neom SC), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Christ Inao (Fiorentina), Michel Adopo (Cagliari), Parfait Guiagon (Al-Taawoun)

Forwards: Yan Diomandé (Real Madrid), Bazoumana Touré (Newcastle United), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), Elye Wahi (OGC Nice), Karim Konate (RB Leipzig), Oumar Diakite (Sturm Graz), Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), Evan Guessand (Crystal Palace).